Back in ancient times, when I was a lad in school, the advent of squirrel season was looked forward to as the beginning of all the fall and winter hunting seasons. Usually squirrel season would come in on Aug. 8 or 15.

Back in the day, school didn’t take up until after Labor Day and gave us the opportunity for at least a week of camping and squirrel hunting. Begging off as many days as our parents would allow, the neighborhood boys would pitch camp in the hardwoods outside of Moscow for the annual “opener.” The armament included everything from 12-gauge shotguns to .22-caliber rifles, along with a suitable array of cooking utensils and a tent or big tarpaulin for shelter.

Roaring campfires and canned goods were definitely a part of the ritual, but the pressure was on for a late breakfast of squirrel and eggs. Given our developing hunting abilities and the scarcity of squirrels, it was often eggs alone on the first day. Many a camp supper following the opener was reduced to Dinty Moore Meatball Stew, canned fruit cocktail and bacon with hominy.
Even on the days I came back to camp empty-handed, the mornings spent watching the world awaken to a new dawn created a vision still etched into my memory. Seeing and hearing the woods come alive is something everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Squirrel season is in full gear, and Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding squirrel hunters to arm themselves with a strong understanding of safety guidelines and season regulations as they head to the woods. A safe squirrel hunt can be the perfect opportunity to introduce new hunters to a wonderful outdoor activity and stewardship of our natural resources.

When hunting, remember to be sure of your target and what’s beyond it, respect property rights, get permission from private property owners before you hunt and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Squirrel hunting season opened Aug. 15 and continues through Jan. 31, 2012. Indiana hunters may harvest both gray and fox squirrels, and can harvest up to five squirrels per day.

To hunt squirrels, Indiana residents must purchase the annual hunting license for $17 ($7 youth consolidated license), and non-residents must purchase the $80 annual hunting license or the $31 five-day hunting license ($17 annual youth hunting). To purchase a hunting license, go to www.indianaoutdoor.IN.gov

For additional information on regulations and licensing, go to the www.hunting.IN.gov website.

Cabela’s King Kat Tournament at Henderson, Ky.
The Cabela’s King Kat tournament trail will hit the waters of the Ohio River at Henderson, Ky., Sept. 10. The tournament is the opportunity for local catfish anglers to compete for cash, prizes and a chance to advance to the Cabela’s King Kat Classic to be held on the Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa, Oct. 27-29.

Over the past years the Henderson event has been exciting, with large numbers of big fish and tremendous crowds at the weigh-in to see the large fish and cheer for favorite anglers. Anglers will want to be sure to check out www.kingkatusa.com

It’s a new site with information on tournament events, along with special information for catfish anglers everywhere. The tournament weigh-in will be held at the Riverfront Park in Henderson.

Tournament hours are 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. All anglers must be in weigh-in line by 4 p.m. with a five-fish limit per team. To help preserve the sport, only live fish will be weighed in and all fish will be released after the tournament.
For a complete list of rules, visit www.kingkatusa.com

Sportsman’s Benevolence pins at Fish & Wildlife Areas
Hunters and trappers can help fellow Hoosiers put food on the table by purchasing Sportsman’s Benevolence Fund (SBF) collector series pins, now available at DNR Fish & Wildlife Areas.

Each collector series set costs $10 and contains four pins: 2008, 2009, 2010 and an unmarked pin. Proceeds from the collector pins help organizations distribute venison to food banks in need of meat across Indiana.

One such organization is Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH), which has 14 chapters statewide. FHFH processed 1,200 deer statewide last year, providing more than 152,600 meals. To find a participating deer processor in Indiana and donate venison to feed the hungry, visit www.fhthf.org
For every $50 raised, more than 200 meals can be provided. The SBF collector series pins are now available at the following Fish & Wildlife Areas: Atterbury, Crosley, Glendale, Sugar Ridge, Wilbur Wright, LaSalle, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, Pigeon River, Roush, Winamac, Willow Slough and Tri-County.

There are a few ways for sportsmen and the general public to contribute: purchase an SBF pin online or at a participating Fish & Wildlife Area; or donate online directly to the SBF at www.in.gov/apps/dnr or donate online to SBF while purchasing a hunting, fishing or trapping license online at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5330.htmm Check out more venison donation information, too, at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2344.htm

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.